Conn Smythe Watch: Jonathan Toews, serious contender

By popular demand, Puck Daddy takes its Conn Smythe Watch from the evening Three Stars to every morning of the postseason. Keep in mind that we factor in the probability of a long playoff run into these choices. Who are the current favorites for playoff MVP? Glad you asked.

1. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings

Kopitar leads the playoffs with 15 points in 11 games and is winning 51.6 percent of his faceoffs. He’s scored in 10 of those 11 games.

2. Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins

Rask’s 31-save performance in Game 5 gives him a .940 save percentage and a 1.70 GAA for the Bruins; can he win his duel with Carey Price in Game 6?

3. Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks

Call it “The Shift” if you want; we’ll just view Jonathan Toews’ game-winner in Game 5 as another moment that reinforces Toews as the NHL’s best captain. He now has 10 points in 11 games.

4. P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens

Subban leads the Habs and all NHL defenseman in scoring for the postseason with four goals and eight assists.

5. Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks

Getzlaf has four goals and nine assists in nine games for the Ducks; could we see a Hart Trophy nominee take home the Conn Smythe?

6. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers

Lundqvist made 36 saves in Game 6 (.973 save percentage) to help the Rangers force Game 7.

7. Evgeni Malkin Pittsburgh Penguins

Malkin has six goals in the postseason and 13 points, tied with Getzlaf for third in the league.

8. Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks

Perry created two goals for the Ducks in their Game 4 win and has 10 points in 10 games.

9. Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild

Parise has 14 points in the playoffs, but nine of them were scored at home. He was scoreless with a minus-1 in Game 5.

10. Marian Gaborik, Los Angeles Kings

Gaborik’s six goals are tied for the postseason lead but he didn’t tally one in two games in LA vs. Anaheim.